A Bc50%

Discussion GuiDeDisney • HYPERION BOOKS

This guide was created by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer, a reading specialist and children’s author. Visit her Web site www.tracievaughnzimmer.com to find

hundreds of guides to children’s and YA literature.

Many more Discussion and Teacher’s Guides can be found on the Disney-Hyperion Web site at: www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com.

Disney • Hyperion Books114 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com

Book Fivethe Last OLympian

Hardcover ISBN 978-1-4231-0147-5

$17.99

www.percyjacksonbooks.com

2 3

About the BookAll year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

About this GuideThis guide includes discussion questions and projects intended to extend the use of the novel into the classrooms, book clubs, and literature circles. It should promote discussion on the themes of the novel, including friendship, leadership, teamwork, family, heroism, and identity.

Pre-ReadingWhere did our heroes leave off in The Battle of the Labyrinth? What would you tell someone about the Percy Jackson series if you wanted them to check it out?

Discussion Guide1 “All I knew was that I was supposed to make a decision that would decide the

fate of the world—but no pressure.” How would you feel about having this prophecy hang over your head? Would you try to avoid decisions or go boldly into them?

2 Would you want to visit Poseidon’s palace? What would be the best part of being immortal? What would be the worst? What are the challenges and rewards of being a half-blood?

3 Discuss the major conflicts Percy faces in the novel. Which ones seem insurmountable? How does he handle the pressure? Where do you think he should focus his skills and resources?

4 Why do you think Percy needed to meet Hestia and get his mom’s blessing? Percy is putting his trust in Nico, son of Hades. Do you think this is a wise idea? How do you know whom to trust?

5 Why does Percy bathe in the River Styx? How does he keep his mortality intact? What is your Achilles heel? Who would you trust with the knowledge of your point of vulnerability? What does this tell us about Percy’s relationship with Annabeth?

6 Hestia tells Percy that he must understand the family of his enemy if he is to defeat him. Do you agree with this? Why would this be important?

7 As Percy prepares for battle with Kronos he takes stock of his assets and weaknesses. What powers, weapons, and creatures (Mrs. O’Leary, perhaps) would you most like to have on your side for a mythic battle for Mount Olympus?

8 Describe the battle for the Williamsburg Bridge. Which part was most exciting? How does Annabeth once again prove her loyalty to Percy? Do you have someone in your life that would take the knife for you?

4 5

ProjectsReadingAs you read, create a cause-and-effect graphic organizer based on the choices that characters make along the path to the final battle. Use this as a springboard to your discussions.

WritingRiordan set up a new quest with Rachel’s first prophecy. Write the first battle the seven half-bloods face.

ArtDraw, paint, or sculpt one of the monsters that Percy and his comrades face during the battle for Mount Olympus based on the description from the book and your excellent imagination.

9 Why had Hades cursed the Oracle of Delphi? Do you blame him? Why does he not blame Zeus himself? Do you think Percy should tell Nico what happened to his mother, or not?

10 Why do you think Prometheus offers Pandora’s pithos to our hero? Do you think Percy would ever open it? Would you be able to leave it closed? What would happen if he did open it?

1 1 What was May Castellan’s fate? If you were given the opportunity to see the future, would you take it? Would you accept a quest from the oracle?

12 Dionysus explains to Percy that if Olympus fails . . .“Art, law, wine tastings, music, video games, silk shirts, black velvet paintings—all the things that make life worth living will disappear.” What would be on your list? Why do the gods need humans and heroes?

13 Why did Silena Beauregard lead the Ares cabin into battle with the drakon? What was the result? How did she set things right by her willingness to join the fray? How does Clarisse take the discovery?

14 Describe Percy’s plan for the final battle between Kronos and the half-bloods. How does Poseidon help? What other gods come to help in the battle? In the end, what is the choice that the prophecy spoke of? Who is the hero?

1 5 How do the Olympians reward Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and the other half-blood heroes for their service? What is the fate of Rachel? Who do you think gets the best reward? Why doesn’t Percy accept his? Would you?

6 7

About the Author Rick Riordan is also the author of the previous books in the New York Times #1 best-selling series Percy Jackson and the Olympians—Book One: The Lightning Thief, Book Two: The Sea of Monsters, Book Three: The Titan’s Curse, and Book Four: The Battle of the Labyrinth. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. Visit www.rickriordan.com and www.percyjacksonbooks.com.

Author Interview1 You left the door open a crack for a new series featuring half-bloods. Can

your fans look forward to a new series? Absolutely. The ending of Last Olympian gives you a pretty good idea where

things are heading—a new prophecy, a whole new group of cabins and new characters for Camp Half-Blood, and many adventures still to come. Of course, you’ll see some of your old friends from the Percy series in the next books, too. Expect a new five-book series beginning in late 2010.

2 How has writing the Percy Jackson books changed you as a writer? Writing the Percy Jackson series has made me a better writer, I hope, because

writing for kids is not easy! You have to tell a really good story and not waste any time. You have to keep the reader’s interest and keep things moving. Kids are the best fans you can ever have, but they can also be the toughest critics!

3 What do you hope kids take away from reading this series? I hope kids will come away from the Percy Jackson books wanting to read

more, especially kids who weren’t big readers before. If I can get them to think that maybe books are cool after all, I’ll be happy. I’m also thrilled when I hear Percy Jackson has opened the door to Greek mythology. Kids are reading the Odyssey and saying, “Hey, that’s what happened in Percy Jackson!”

Available wherever books are sold

Book Threethe titan’s Curse

Hardcover ISBN 978-1-4231-0145-1

$17.95Paperback

ISBN 978-1-4231-0148-2 $7.99

Book Fivethe Last OLympian

Hardcover ISBN 978-1-4231-0147-5

$17.99

Book Onethe Lightning thief

Hardcover ISBN 978-0-7868-5629-9

$17.95Paperback

ISBN 978-0-7868-3865-3 $7.99

Book Twothe sea Of mOnsters

Hardcover ISBN 978-0-7868-5686-2

$17.95Paperback

ISBN 978-1-4231-0334-9 $7.99

Book Fourthe BattLe Of the LaByrinth

Hardcover ISBN 978-1-4231-0146-8

$17.99Paperback

ISBN 978-1-4231-0149-9 $7.99

Mar

ty U

man

s